Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Paradise in the Pyrenees - Southern France


Imagine yourself living here ...


For Aurélien Deleuze and his wife Pascale and two children, they don't have to imagine it, they live it ... every day.

When I saw this article and the photographs of their lovely home in the picturesque town of Pau, in Southern France, I was immediately drawn to it and I wanted to share them with you. For the Deleuzes, it was love at first sight too. Aurélien and Pascale painstakingly restored and now live in this stunning castle located outside the small village of Bugnein in France. Built around 1700 by an abbot who was knighted by Louis XIV, it has survived the centuries almost intact. Unique period pieces and original French furniture takes us back in time as we go from room to room.

Aurelien Deleuze, Pascale, and their teenage sons, Augustin and Victor.


On the mantle, a collection of candlestics (which on their own would not be as stunning but when grouped in a collection become a showpiece) is grouped with a pair of zinc urns and a heavily ornate mirror. The simplicity of the remaining furnishings work to showcase the mirror and give it centerstage.

I cannot get enough of fragmented pieces. People think I'm crazy when I pick up things that obviously had a rough life, but on their own, they become works of art.


The roughness of the cabinet in the background contrasts beautifully with the polished crystals of the chandelier. So stunning!


Clever use of music sheets, don't you think?


I just love the original burlap on these seats. I would leave them just as they are!



Italian altar candles add an element of sophistication to this otherwise country setting.

Aurelien Deleuze.



Love the gilded corona. Very difficult to find but I know just where to get one!








These images just make me sigh. It is the stark simplicity of this home, pale colors and varied use of textures that create a comfortable, beautiful interior.

Hope you enjoyed the tour. If you would like assistance in finding similar items to any of the ones pictured in this article, email me at kgentinetta@gmail.com

Images from here.

14 comments:

  1. That story was in German Elle, I scanned all the pictures! This one has more shots.

    xo

    Sandy

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  2. Greetings from Southern California

    I believe God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things and I will live until my work on earth is done. Visiting nice blogs like yours is high on my list of things to do. Right now I am so far behind I don't think I will ever die! :-)

    When you have the time come by and visit my blog :-)

    God bless you and above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything else you do.

    Have a nice day :-)

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  3. Dearest Karina their website is une-ame-plus.com/Beverley xxx

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  4. Hi Karina that was wonderful again !
    and so funny
    I was in paris last week and went to visit Aurelien who is delightful , in his lovelty showroom Its dreamy isnt it ! Fay x

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  5. Sandy, I need to get German Elle!

    Beverley, thanks so much for sharing that information with us. I went to his website and it's great!

    Fay, I'm so jealous. I would love to meet Aurelien and see his showroom.

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  6. So pleased to have found such an inspiration woman thru Sandy, what a team you two make! Thanks for sharing these pics, they are wonderful.

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  7. I too have an affection for fragmented and pieces with a faded oppulence. I've had many strange looks when I seek out those things which others may find worthless or too damaged to be functional. I suppose I see it through different eyes and its nice to connect to kindred Spirits that see the Beauty and value of such pieces as well.

    Spring Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  8. Ahh, such a lovely home! A real dream come true!

    Hope you are having a lovely Sunday, Karina!

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  9. What a wonderful home! I am a real sucker for that beautiful contrast of texture as well and I cannot resist a good architectural fragment. I think that sunny hallway might be my favorite room though...so happy! But what really gets my heart beating is that amazing corona...I have been obsessed with finding one just like that for a long time. Thanks for sharing such beauty Karina!

    xoxo
    Hope

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  10. What a couple, simply legendary!
    Congrats on the Times article, I was just over at Sandy's blog and read about it! Off to read the article now!

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  11. Hi Karina! I have just discovered your site through Norma of Make Mine Mini and I have added it to my favourites. The above photos of the chateau are a lesson in contrast and texture. Simplicity against majesty. The floors are bare of carpets and I find this refreshing and liberating. It provides a look of cleanliness. Because of the lack of carpets, I was more inclined to observe the walls and ceilings and I find that it makes all the other textures pop out.

    It was sheer genius of them to dress the beds with just plain linen because it provides a contrast to the gilded corona. One tends to notice it much more than if the beds were richly dressed.

    I also love that the windows have no curtains. Against their bareness, the eye is forced to go upwards to the chandeliers, to travel to the paintings and to just notice the other decorative elements.

    I've learned so much from this decor. This is the first chateau I see that I would be happy to live in. Thank you so much for all these beautiful photos.

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  12. I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing.
    Plafonniers

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